Growth and Change In animals

Learning Goal: we are learning about animal life systems.Success Criteria: we know we are successful when we can...

classify animals using 6 key animal groupings (B.I.F.A.R.M.)

explain various life cycles and their different stages

explain what a habitat is and provide examples

explain the impact that humans have on animals

Key Words

Vertebrate: an animal which has a backbone/spine​Cold-Blooded: an animal which uses the environment around it to control its body temperatureExoskeleton: a hard outer casing which protects an animals insides as they have no bones

Invertebrate: an animal which does not have a spine​Warm-blooded: an animal which controls its own body temperature without assistance from the environment

Animals which students will independently research

As we begin this unit, students are asked to choose their top 3 animals of interest for further research. They will be given an animal accordingly. This animal shall direct their studies as we progress through the unit. There is no guarantee that all students will receive any of their top 3 choices.

Sorting Animals - B.I.F.A.R.M.

We are learning that animals can be sorted into certain groups. For simplicity, students are only learning 6 different groupings. However, students should keep in mind that animals can be grouped into further groupings. For students to easily remember all 6 groups, we are using the acronym BIFARM (Birds, Insects, Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Mammals).

Birds

breathe using lungs

have feathers/wings

warm-blooded

vertebrates

lay eggs

live on land

Amphibians

breathe using lungs

have scales

cold-blooded

vertebrates

lay eggs

live on land and in water

Insects

breathe using trachea

have exoskeleton

cold-blooded

invertebrate

lay eggs

three body parts: head, abdomen, thorax

Reptiles

breathe using lungs

have scales

cold-blooded

vertebrates

lay eggs

lives on land

Fish

breathe underwater using gills, not lungs

have scales

cold-blooded

vertebrates

lay eggs

live in water

Mammals

breathe using lungs

have fur/hair

warm-blooded

vertebrates

live births

lives on land

How can we remember?! The 5 Bs!

Comparing Animal Groups using the 5 Bs

Use the 5 Bs to help compare two different animal groups. What are the 5Bs? Let's review!

Blood Type; Body Covering; Birth; Breathing; Backbone

Life Cycle

The life cycle of animal describes the process from birth to reproduction (being able to create their own eggs/offspring). Each animal has its own life cycle, but similarities do exist. Mammals are the only animals to not be born in eggs. Look below at some examples of various animals' life cycles.

Needs of animals

There are four basic needs for all animals (that includes humans!). These four basic needs are: food, water, air and shelter. Needs are very different from wants. As humans, we often want things to improve our lives. However, if you remove these wants, we are still able to survive.

Please click the link below to explore more about the difference between needs and wants.

Adaptations to meet Animal Needs

Habitats

​﻿﻿In Grade 2, we look at six different habitats (simplify it given it there age) where animals live. These include the following habitats: deserts; forests; the arctic; freshwater; oceans; and, rainforests. Below, you can find more information about each by clicking on the links below.